Climate and environmental issues have long had top priority on Scandlines’ agenda. As early as 2013, the ferry company invested in hybrid ferries with battery banks, and in 2024 the first zero direct emissions ferry Futura will be deployed on the Puttgarden-Rødby route. Only six years later, in 2030, the ambition is to operate the entire route without direct emissions. With the objective of making the entire company emission-free by 2040, Scandlines is setting itself higher targets than the COP28 agreement, which aims for transition away from fossil fuels and zero emissions by 2050.

Scandlines is now taking the next big step on the green journey, converting two of the four passenger ferries operating the Puttgarden-Rødby route into plug-in ferries so that they can charge green power both in Puttgarden and Rødby. On average, the batteries of the ferries will be charged in just 12 minutes with at least 80 percent of the energy needed for a crossing.

To make this possible in just 12 minutes, Scandlines is investing in the following:

• Large energy storage system on board both ferries
• Charging facilities on board
• Solar panels on board both ferries

The total investment in electrification of the Fehmarn Belt ferries amounts to EUR 31 million. The German Ministry of Transport has awarded the project financial support as part of a funding programme covering sustainable modernisation of coastal vessels to reduce emissions, covering up to 40 percent of the conversion costs.

Scandlines expects to sign a contract on the conversion in early 2024. Subject to the final delivery time of equipment, the ferries will be converted in the beginning of 2024 till 2025. Thus, Scandlines is well on the way to achieving its vision of making the Puttgarden-Rødby route emission-free by 2030. Already in 2030, Scandlines will have reduced the company’s total direct CO₂ emissions by around 60 percent compared to 2008. The goal remains zero direct emissions for the entire company in 2040.